The Playboy of Rome

by Jennifer Faye

  “Couldn’t this have waited?” Dante sighed.

  “No. It couldn’t.” Lizzie stood there ramrod-straight, staring straight ahead. She refused to let Dante get to her. Instead she watched as the driver climbed up to the car and retrieved the large package.

  When the man went to hand it down, Dante intercepted it. “Let me guess. This is the reason you couldn’t wait for me.”

  She nodded. “It’s the gift for your grandfather.”

  The tension on his face eased. It was though at last he realized she’d been trying to do something for him and she hadn’t taken his car for a joyride.

  When the taxi pulled up and they climbed inside, exhaustion coursed through Lizzie’s veins. It was so tempting to lean her head against Dante’s shoulder. They’d both been worked up. They’d both said things that they regretted. Everything would be all right when they got back to the apartment.

  Satisfied that everything would work itself out, she leaned her head against him. She enjoyed the firmness of his muscles against her cheek and the gentle scent of his fresh cologne. She closed her eyes, noticing the beginning of the predicted aches setting in. But if that was all she ended up with, she’d be grateful. It could have been so much worse.

  But she noticed how Dante didn’t move. He didn’t attempt to put his arm around her and draw her closer. He sat there stiffly and stared out the window. Maybe he was embarrassed about his heated reaction. That was understandable. She was horrified that she’d wrecked his car. Once they were home and alone, they could sort this all out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  IF THERE WAS another way to do this, he didn’t know what it was.

  Guilt ate at Dante. Though the ride back to the apartment was only a few minutes, it felt more like an eternity. And having Lizzie nestled against him only made him feel worse about his decision to end things. But he just couldn’t live like this—always wondering when the good times would come to a crashing halt. And now that he’d had a small sample of what the pain and agony would be like—he just couldn’t commit himself to a relationship.

  The sooner he did this—laid everything on the table with Lizzie—the less pain they’d both experience. It was what he kept telling himself on the elevator ride to the penthouse. But somehow he was having trouble believing his own words.

  It was nerves. That was it. He didn’t want to hurt Lizzie any more than he had to. But in the end, this was what was best for both of them. After all, her life was in New York.

  Once they stepped inside the apartment, Lizzie moved to the kitchen area. “I’ll need to make a list of what we need from downstairs.”

  “For what?”

  “The party. Remember, we’re in charge of the food. Your father wants to taste your cooking.”

  The party where she would be introduced to his extended family—the party where people would start hinting about a wedding. His aunts were notorious for playing the part of matchmakers. That was why he ducked them as much as possible.

  Dante sighed. This was all getting so complicated now. “Lizzie, can you come in here so we can talk?”

  She rummaged through a drawer, pulling out a pen and paper. “It’s already getting late. We really need to get to work on the food prep. You never did say how we’re going to get all of this to the vineyard. You know, it might be easier if we’d take the supplies there and prepare it—”

  He’d heard her ramble on a few occasions and each time she’d been nervous. “Lizzie, stop!”

  She jumped and turned wide eyes in his direction. He felt even worse now that he’d scared her than he did before. He was making a mess of this.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted your attention.” He walked toward the black leather couch. “Come here. There’s something I need to say.”

  Lizzie placed the pen and paper on the kitchen counter and hesitantly walked toward him. She knew what was coming, didn’t she? It was obvious this wasn’t going to work. He just wasn’t cut out to be anyone’s better half. He’d laugh at the thought if he wasn’t so miserable.

  She perched on the edge of the couch with her spine straight. “Is this about the restaurant? About your meeting today. Did you go through with the sale?”

  That was what she thought he wanted to talk about? He scrubbed his hand over his face. “No, this isn’t about that.”

  “Oh. But did you sell it? Not that it’s any of my business. But I was just curious because of Massimo—”

  “You don’t have to remind me. I know that my grandfather put his whole life into that business.” And this was just one more reason why he needed to end this relationship. She was already influencing his decisions—decisions that only a couple of months ago he hadn’t needed or wanted anyone’s input. “No, I didn’t sell the place.”

  “I didn’t think you could part with it. It’s in your blood. You’d be lost without the restaurant.” A hesitant smile pulled at the edges of her lips. “Massimo will be so pleased to know the restaurant is in safe hands. It will make his birthday gift even more special.”

  The collage. She’d been hurt because of him—because he’d forgotten to pick up the present. Guilt ate at him. An apology teetered on the tip of his tongue, but at the last second he bit it back. Comforting her would only muddy things. He had to end things as cleanly as possible—it would hurt her less that way.

  “There’s something else we need to talk about.” There, he’d gotten the conversation started.

  Lizzie sent him a puzzled look. “But we have so much to do for the party—”

  “Don’t you see, we can’t do this? I can’t do this.” He turned his back to her, unable to bear the weight of seeing the inevitable disillusionment on her face. “We were kidding ourselves to think that we could ever have something real.”

  “What’s going on, Dante? I thought that we were getting closer. I thought—”

  “You thought wrong,” he ground out. He hated himself for the pain and confusion he was causing her.

  “You...you’re ending things because I screwed up and wrecked your car?” The horror came across in the rising tones of her voice.

  “It’s not that.”

  He turned around then and saw the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. It was almost his undoing. But then he recalled the paralyzing fear of thinking that something serious had happened to her. He just couldn’t cave in. It would mean risking his heart and waiting for the day that his whole world would come crashing down around him.

  “Then it’s my past.” She looked at him with disbelief reflected in her eyes. “I should have never told you. Now you think that I’m damaged goods.”

  “I never thought that. Ever.” He stepped closer to her. No matter what it cost him, he was unwilling to let her think such a horrible thing. “You’re amazing.” His fingers caressed her cheek. “Any man who is fortunate to have you in his life will be the luckiest man in the world.”

  She stepped back out of his reach. “You expect me to believe that when you’re standing there saying you don’t want to see me again.”

  He groaned. “I’m doing this all wrong. I’m sorry. I never wanted you to think this had anything to do with you. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.” He stepped toward her. “You have your whole future ahead of you.”

  She moved back. “Save the pep talk. I’ve heard lines like yours before. I don’t need to hear it again. I was so wrong about you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I thought you were different from the other guys I’ve known. I thought that I could trust you, but obviously I was wrong.”

  Her words were like spears that slammed into his chest. He didn’t know it was possible to feel this low. He deserved every painful word she spewed at him. And more...

  To keep from reaching out to her, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Don’t you get it? I don’t do well with long-term commitments.”

  She waved off his words. “Save i
t. I don’t need to hear this. I have packing to do.”

  There was still the surprise party to deal with and Lizzie was in charge. But after the accident, he couldn’t imagine that she’d be up for any part of it. Still, he couldn’t just disinvite her. “What about Massimo’s party?”

  Her gaze lifted to meet his. “Are you serious? You really expect me to go and pretend that everything is okay between you and me?” She shook her head, her long blond hair swishing over her shoulder. “That party is for your family—something I’ll never be.”

  His gaze dropped to the black plush rug with a white swirl pattern. He choked down the lump in his throat. “What should I tell everyone?”

  She gave him a hard, cold stare. “This one is all on you. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” She strode off down the hallway. Without even bothering to turn around, she called out, “Don’t worry. I’ll be gone before you return to the city.”

  Her back was ramrod-stiff and her shoulders were rigid. He tried to console himself with the knowledge that she’d be better off without him. The fate of women who fell in love with a DeFiore was not good. Not good at all.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  HE COULDN’T BRING himself to celebrate.

  Dante worked his way to a corner on the patio. There was no quiet place to hide. The musicians his father hired didn’t know how to keep the volume down. And the cacophony of voices and laughter grated on Dante’s taut nerves.

  It didn’t matter who he ran into, they asked about Lizzie. It was as though he and Lizzie were expected to head for the nearest altar as soon as possible. When he explained that Lizzie was returning to the States, they all sent him an accusing look.

  He should be relieved. He had his utter freedom back. No chance that he could get hurt and grow old, miserable and alone like his grandfather, father and Stefano. No taking part in the DeFiore legacy. So why did he feel so miserable?

  Dante could barely hear his own thoughts. There was nothing quiet about the DeFiore family. Everyone spoke over everyone else, hands gestured for emphasis and laughter reigned supreme. Lizzie would have loved being part of such a big gathering. And she’d have fit right in.

  “How’s the ristorante?”

  Dante turned to find his father standing behind him, puffing on a cigar. Dante hadn’t even heard him approach.

  “It’s good.” Now that the decision had been made, he decided to let his father in on it. “There was an offer to buy the ristorante. It was made by some outfit looking to expand their portfolio.”

  “Are you going to accept?”

  It was good to talk with someone about something other than Lizzie and his failed relationship. “I thought about it. I considered selling and moving home to help with the vineyard.”

  His father’s bushy brows rose. “You’d want to come back after you fought so hard to get out of here?”

  Dante shrugged. “I thought it’d make things easier for you.”

  “I don’t need you to make things easier for me.” His father’s tone was resilient. “I take it you came to your senses and turned down the offer.”

  Dante considered telling him that they wanted the family recipes as part of the deal but that he just couldn’t go through with it. No amount of money could compensate for giving away those family secrets. Some things weren’t meant to be shared. But that wasn’t the real reason he’d ended up turning down the offer.

  Dante nodded his head. “I almost went through with it. But in the end, I couldn’t do it.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Lizzie.” Her name slipped quietly over his lips as the pain of loss overwhelmed him.

  “You were planning to run the place with her by your side? Like your grandparents had done?”

  Dante didn’t trust his voice at that moment. He merely nodded.

  “Then why are you here alone? Why did you let her get away?”

  His father always thought he failed at things. Well, this time his father was wrong. “I didn’t let her get away. I pushed her away.”

  “What? But why would you do that?” His father put out his cigar in a nearby ashtray before approaching Dante. “Let’s walk.”

  Dante really didn’t want a lecture from his father, but what did it matter? He couldn’t be more miserable. His father led him off toward the vines. When people wanted to be alone, the vines always offered solace.

  “Son, I know you never had a chance to know your mother, but she was an amazing woman. You remind me a lot of her. I know if she were here she’d insist that I give you some advice—”

  “Papa, I don’t need advice. I know what I’m doing. I won’t end up like you.” He realized too late that he’d said too much.

  “You sent Lizzie away so you wouldn’t end up miserable and alone like your old man, is that it?”

  Dante couldn’t deny it, so he didn’t say anything. He kept his head low and concentrated on the path between the vines, which was barely wide enough for them to walk side by side.

  “I’ll admit it,” his father said. “I didn’t handle your mother’s death well. I never expected to be alone with two young boys to raise. I...I was scared. And...I took my anger and frustration out on you. I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve it. Not at all.”

  What did Dante say to that? You’re right didn’t seem appropriate. No big deal wouldn’t work either because it was a big deal—a huge deal.

  “If you had to do it over again—falling in love with Mama—would you?”

  “Even knowing how things would end, I’d still have pursued your mother. She was amazing. When she smiled the whole world glowed. Loving your mother was one of the best parts of my life.”

  “But you...you always look so sad when anyone mentions her.”

  “And that’s where I messed up. I closed myself off from life. I dwelled so much on my loss—my pain—that I couldn’t see clearly. I missed seeing what I was doing to my family.”

  “Is that why you never married again?”

  Papa nodded. “I was too consumed with what I’d lost to see anything in front of me.” He ran a hand over his face. “I can’t go back and change any of it. My only hope is that you boys don’t make the same mistakes. Love is like life—it’s a gift not to be squandered.”

  Dante studied his father’s face, trying to decide if his father was being on the level with him. “Are you serious? You’d be willing to give love another try?”

  “If the right woman came along. What about you? Do you love Lizzie?”

  Dante’s heart pounded out the answer before he could find the words. He nodded. “But how do I live knowing that something might happen to her? That someday I might be alone?”

  His father gripped his shoulder. “You don’t. You just have to cherish the time you have together. No one knows the future. But by running from love, you’re going to end up old and alone anyway.”

  Dante hadn’t thought of it that way. In fact, if it weren’t for Lizzie, he wouldn’t be having this conversation with his father. Somehow Lizzie had worked her magic and reconnected him with his family.

  His father cleared his throat. “Here’s something else for you to consider. You’ve always known you’re different from me and your brother. It’s your mother’s genes coming out in you. I know sometimes that drove a wedge between us. But that doesn’t mean that I love you any less. Sometimes being different is a good thing.”

  Really? And here he’d been punishing himself for being so different from his father and brother. But if he differed from them in his choice of professions, why couldn’t he be different when it came to love? Maybe there was a chance his story would end differently than theirs.

  “Now, what are you doing standing here talking to me?” His father gave him a pointed stare, like when he was a boy and had forgotten to do his chores. “Go after the woman you love.”

  Dante turned to the villa when he realized that he didn’t have his car. And the next train was hours away. He didn’t have time to was
te if he was going to catch Lizzie and beg her forgiveness.

  “Hey, Papa, can I borrow the truck?”

  His father reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a key ring. “You know it’s not fancy like that sports car of yours.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve learned that sort of stuff isn’t what makes a person happy.”

  Lizzie had taught him that lesson.

  Now he had to track her down, even if it meant flying to New York. He’d beg her forgiveness. Whatever it took, he’d do it.

  Maybe he and his father weren’t all that different after all.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  HOW COULD SHE have let herself get caught up in a dream?

  That was what this whole trip had been—one amazing dream. And now Lizzie had awakened to the harsh glare of reality. The truth was no matter how much she wanted to believe that Dante was changing, he was never going to be willing to let his guard down enough to let her in—even if she’d foolishly let him into her heart.

  After Dante had left, she’d spent the night lying in the dark reliving her memories of Dante—memories that she’d treasure for a lifetime. Because no matter how the fairy tale ended, it’d still been a dream come true—falling in love under the Italian sky and kissing the man of her dreams in a breathtaking vineyard.

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she called the taxi service to take her to the airport. She took one last look around the apartment, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk down the hallway to the master suite. Some memories were still too raw for her to delve into.

  With the front door secure, she made her way down to the restaurant. With it being Sunday, it was closed. Maybe she had time to slip inside and—what? Remember the time she’d spent there with Dante? No, that wasn’t a good idea. There was only so much pain she could take.

  Would that taxi ever show up?

  At the sound of an approaching vehicle, she turned. She frowned when all she saw was an old truck ambling down the road. Needing something to distract her, she reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She’d been putting off calling Jules for as long as possible. Her foster sister would be full of questions as soon as she learned that Lizzie was catching an earlier flight than was planned.